Does barrel length matter?

[Dan71]

Is there any advantage to a longer barrel vs a shorter one?

[Semisane]

In muzzle loaders with real black powder and BP substitutes, a longer barrel can effectively use more powder and provide slightly more velocity than a shorter one, thus a flatter trajectory.  Also, most people fine a longer barrel easier to shoot well with (less wobble).  With iron sights, a longer barrel provides a more precise sighting plane. 

A short barrel, even a 21 or 22-inch carbine length will provide all of the velocity needed for hunting loads out to 200 yards, and carries a lot easier. 

I love my little Omega X7 with its 24-inch barrel when I'm sneaking through the woods for a few hours.  But sitting on a stand, I always take one of my long barreled Hawkens or Renegades.

[Dan71]

Thanks Semi.

I currently own an Optima Pro made back in '03 with the 28" barrel. It has been a learning curve for me but it has shot well, though I have not put enough time into it, I had a slight mishap with a cleaning procedure that I did not anticipate with the effects of the 209 primer. I have done a good job cleaning the rust off and at one point reading some bad publicity on the older OP rifles, I came close to selling it and looked into the less expensive Wolf or dropping the cash on a Accura.

Well in the CVA room I read where a person had both the Optima Pro and the Accura and didn't seem to notice much difference in the accuracy.( I know this is only one mans opinion.) So maybe I will give my OP another day at the range and start from scratch.

I do know that the OP favored the 250 Shockwaves very well with 90gr of 777. I had no luck with the Powerbelts.

[rebAL]

A short barrel, even a 21 or 22-inch carbine length will provide all of the velocity needed for hunting loads out to 200 yards, and carries a lot easier. 

 

  Totally agree Semi;  I have a CVA Wolf and would have bought a more featured rifle but choices for short barreled inline muzzleloaders seems limited.  Why don't gun makers give us more choices in shorter barreled guns for short range woods hunting;  They all seem to be catering to the long range magnum charge community even though unnecessary for northeastern big woods hunting.

[mspaci]

Love my White Mountain Carbine with 21 inch barrel.  Mike

[moto357]

i think the magnum long range thing is all a big sales pitch.  sure you can prolly get a few more fps out of a longer barrel, but 100fps arent that critical, even considering drop to 200 yards, you might gain an inch if that??  shooting any bp or sub, even at "magnum" velocities there is plenty of drop that one should consider and practice at ranges he/she hunts.  besides, this gives a great reason to do more shooting and playing at different ranges!! 

anyone want to guess what the drop is of my 600gr bullet at 1050fps?